GHNS Illinois Budget (2/26/08)

Tuesday

Feb 26, 2008 at 12:01 AMFeb 26, 2008 at 5:31 PM

GHNS Illinois Budget (2/26/08)

Here are the top Illinois stories coming today from GateHouse News Service.
Stories are available at www.gatehousenewsservice.com. Please check
www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/news in the
evening for changes to story lineup, including breaking news.

If your paper has a story, digest item, opinion piece or standalone photo to
share, please e-mail it to Illinois@gatehousemedia.com.

BLAGOJEVICH IDENTIFIED: After months of speculation, Gov. Rod Blagojevich was named as “Public Official A” in the corruption case against former Blagojevich adviser Tony Rezko, who is accused of soliciting kickbacks in exchange for business from the state. By Aaron Chambers.

- Blagojevich reax: reaction from officials on the revelation that Blagojevich is, in fact, “Public Official A.” By the Statehouse bureau.

- Springfield consultant Bob Kjellander says that his involvement in the Tony Rezko case clearly crosses no lines of illegality. "I did nothing improper and frankly I don't believe anyone is suggesting that I did anything improper in making that loan," Kjellander said. By Bernard Schoenburg

GROW YOUR OWN: The “Grow Your Own Teachers” group held a rally Tuesday, trying to get the state to provide $4.5 million in additional funding for fiscal year 2009. "Grow Your Own Teachers" helps provide instructors in urban and rural school districts that don't have enough teachers. By Meagan Sexton of the Statehouse bureau. Will be posted this evening.

HEALTH CARE: The Joint Committee on Administrative Rules rejected the Blagojevich administration's proposed rules to implement his initiative for expanded health-care access. By Adriana Colindres of the Statehouse bureau. Will be posted this evening.

Fourth attorney takes over in Wanke case

ROCKFORD – For the fourth time in two weeks, Richard E. Wanke Jr. has a new attorney. And this one — Kane County attorney Glenn Jazwiec — says he won’t have the same conflict of interest as the others. By Corina Curry of the Rockford Register Star.

ROCKFORD – Plans to demolish Jane Addams Village were discussed for two years. A lawsuit that temporarily halted the project took months to settle. Monday, it took about 15 seconds to tear the first hole at the near southeast-side development. The 23-unit housing development — crime-ridden when it was occupied and the target of vandals since it’s been vacant — entered the last phase of its existence.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x1382803728

Investigation into threat at central Illinois high school continues

CHILLICOTHE – Police are continuing their investigation into a threatening message found on a bathroom wall at Illinois Valley Central High School. By Leslie Fark of the Peoria Journal Star. http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x565323197

Fairgrounds' size, system's age making repairs difficult

SPRINGFIELD - State officials say they should know by the end of the week at the latest what’s caused a series of electrical failures that have plagued the Illinois State Fairgrounds for the past month, forcing the cancellation or relocation of major events and costing the local economy hundreds of thousands of dollars. But fixing it could be another matter. By Doug Finke of the Statehouse bureau. Further updates may be posted this evening, depending on merits.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x1300268836

PEORIA - Before this week, most of the students at Glen Oak Primary hadn’t been in a music class all school year. That changed Monday when blues musician Michael "Hawkeye" Herman performed and built instruments with about 350 students in kindergarten through second grade. By Mike Maciag of the Peoria Journal Star.

ROCKFORD – Deborah Johnson’s employer offers more than a paycheck. It helped her buy a house. Johnson, 56, is a first-time homeowner, thanks to SwedishAmerican Hospital in Rockford, Ill. The administrative assistant took advantage of employee housing assistance that puts her within walking distance of work. She’s now the proud owner of a cottage house with a big front porch. By Melissa Westphal of the Rockford Register Star.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x2052200602

MIKE NADEL: TUCSON, Ariz. - Speak up, Jim Thome. You too, Jermaine Dye. You're shy, Mark Buehrle, but that only will make your words more meaningful. OzzieBall wasn't about bunting and stealing bases. It wasn't "smallball." It was an attitude. And if OzzieBall - circa 2005 - is to return for the White Sox, the manager can't be the only vocal leader on the field and in the clubhouse. Will be posted this afternoon.

PHIL LUCIANO: The red sweaters whine that Daniel Ruffin might be innocent and therefore he shouldn't miss any more games. Puke. Bradley’s reputation is on the line. Far better the team lose a few games than to let Ruffin play and find out later he was guilty. Will be posted this evening.

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